10 Things NFL Fans Tell Themselves When Their Teams Don't Make The Playoffs

Thirty-two teams started the NFL season wildly optimistic about their chances of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in February. Now, only 12 teams are left, which leaves the remaining 20 franchises and their respective fan bases wondering what went wrong. While there are a few teams that just didn't have a chance and their fans probably knew it in the back of their minds going into the season opener, most are still searching for answers.

For the next week or so, you will likely hear a handful of rage-fueled responses everywhere from your co-workers at the water cooler to the patrons at your local bar as they try to figure out a legit reason why their favorite team isn't playing in the postseason. From New York Giants fans pinning their lack of success on an overabundance of injuries to faithful followers of the Houston Texans saying that this year was just an unlucky one, here are 10 Things NFL Fans Tell Themselves When Their Teams Don't Make The Playoffs.